EcoScope contribution recognized by European Commission in extensive report on the future of food systems

The EcoScope Project has been featured in the European Commission’s newly released report, Shaping the Future of Food Research and Innovation. This forward-looking document outlines how research and innovation can help build food systems that are sustainable, resilient, and inclusive and highlights projects that are already driving change.

The report is part of Food 2030 Pathways, an initiative that brings together voices from across Europe to rethink how we grow, harvest, distribute, and consume food. It reflects the European Union’s commitment to feeding the population in ways that respect nature, tackle climate change, and secure long-term food security.

In a section focused on the future of ocean-based food systems, the report highlights EcoScope’s innovative approach to sustainable fisheries management. The project was recognized for its efforts to balance marine conservation with the needs of communities that depend on fishing, a growing challenge as climate change and human activity put increasing pressure on our oceans.

At the heart of EcoScope is a simple but powerful idea: better decisions come from better data. The project is therefore developing a range of digital tools and models that give decision-makers, scientists, and fishers a clearer picture of what’s happening below the surface.

These tools support what’s known as ecosystem-based management, a method that looks at the big picture, not just individual species or sectors, but how all the parts of the marine environment are connected. This holistic view is key to protecting ocean biodiversity while ensuring that seafood remains a reliable source of nutrition and livelihoods.

In addition to generating research, the project is testing tools in real-world case studies across Europe’s seas and working closely with local stakeholders to ensure solutions are practical and inclusive.

The European Commission highlighted EcoScope as an example of how research can support better governance and stronger policy. By providing insights that are both scientifically sound and easy to understand, EcoScope is helping to bridge the gap between complex ecological data and everyday decision-making.

Read the full report here: Shaping the Future of Food Research and Innovation